Fri 13 Apr 2007
We’ve had an email from Aleta asking for ideas on how to reuse or recycle plastic tablet and vitamin bottles/containers.
They’re usually so sturdy - and usually childproof - that ways to reuse them would be best but can they be recycled? I can’t see a number on the bottom of any of few we have lying around here - does anyone know what type of plastic they are?
Also, does anyone know if there are any schemes to reuse bottles as prescription bottles again (after sterilising or whatever)?
(Photo by Carin)





Hannah Phillips
April 14th, 2007 at 9:43 am
I use them to store herbs that I buy for herbal medicine. It keeps them out of the way of my kids and helps them to treat herbs and plants with respect because they can see them ass medicines.
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Trish
April 15th, 2007 at 3:44 am
Use them for keeping vitamins etc on vacations, then you won’t have to take the whole bottle. Remember though, you’re not supposed to mix prescriptions in different bottles, you can be arrested/ticketed until it can be proven that all the meds are prescribed to you. At least in the states…
use them for storage of beads, small screws, etc.
we’ve been remodeling our house, you can match paint if you have old paint chips. We have labeled bottles what room the chips are from and keep the chips we’ve pulled so we don’t have to keep taking samples.
Use for anything small you need to keep dry.
use to store your earrings and other jewelry while on vacation.
since they’re child-proof they can be used to keep items you want to keep away from children.
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Kayleigh
April 16th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Give them to your kids with other artsy things and see what they can create, make sure you hang it on the fridge! LOL
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Trish
April 16th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
If you do give them to kids, you might want to make sure they’re old enough to know which bottles are toys and which ones aren’t.
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Rosalind
April 17th, 2007 at 8:50 am
I believe the PDSA (People’s Dispensary For Sick Animals) takes them to reuse for vetinary medicines.
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Connie
April 20th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I found the following address on line with a note that empty, clean pill bottles are collected for impoverished countries which cannot afford the cost.
AMVET POST 208
LADIES AUXILLARY
5 SOUTH STREET
HUDSON, MA 01749
ATTENTION: DEIRDRE
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DramaMama
December 31st, 2007 at 12:59 am
I second that - I know a missionary who takes them to Africa. Not sure of the contact info - we’re in WI, USA so if any wants it, let me know.
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Carole
January 19th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I’d like to know. I knew some missionaries who used them in Liberia years ago, but have lost contact.
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-theresa*
March 6th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
hello, could i get contact info! thanks
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tammy
July 21st, 2007 at 10:31 pm
i truely belive that if theese viles were to be collected by one who truely belived that they could make a differance in how full the land fills are , maybe somehow there could be a return adress at no cost or perhaps taken back to the pharmacey to hold refills .granted there would have to be some law evoked to be sure the meds are going to whom they are perscibed. any ideas would be greatley welcomed. email ideas @sexytammylee@yahoo.com. thanks lets make a differnce.
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Aneise
August 1st, 2007 at 6:38 am
I have a number 5 on the bottom of my Walgreens bottles.
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Bobbie
August 1st, 2007 at 12:49 pm
From what I understand about the “recycle” number. The number denotes the type of plastic it is manufactured from. Some types are recyclable and some are not. I am told that 1’s and 2’s are recyclable. Anything else is not. All the more to reason to reuse when you can.
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Anonymous
August 20th, 2007 at 2:29 am
It depends on the city/state you live in as to how high a recycle number is recyclable. Check with your agency to see what is and what isn’t.
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Missus G
August 18th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Fold plastic grocery bags very small, put them in a vial and keep in a purse or glove compartment of your car (I’m in the US so hope I’m using the right terminology) You have a bag in case of an unanticipated need, or can kneel on one if you need to change a tire (tyre?). The tight fitting lid lets you really pack them down - I can get 3 in the smallest bottle. I also put one my cloth bag when marketing in case I buy more than planned or an item is very wet/messy.
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Judith
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:02 am
cool!
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Sue
August 19th, 2007 at 2:58 am
I have used the tops for making cute little pincushions in different designs like flower pots, crowns, and the rest of the bottle can be used when labels removed for childrens games like bottle toss or roll.
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Linda Rhoades
August 19th, 2007 at 4:38 am
I use old pill bottles to store red hots in in my husband’s lunch bucket as he is a diabetic.
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LadyK
August 20th, 2007 at 2:57 am
I use my old med. bottles to keep granola bars and snacks in. It keeps the bars from getting crushed in my purse or backpack. We have also stored used hypo. needles in them. A family member is diabetic and this is a safe way to collect the needles for transport and disposal.
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Michael
January 4th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
My son is diabetic and I also have the test strip’s plastic bottles. I want to recycle and donate funds and idea’s?
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Margaret
August 24th, 2007 at 3:45 am
Use these old bottles to make christmas ordiments. My grandmother showed me how many years ago. It’s something you can do with your children as well. The perfect snowy or rainy day project.
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Isabel
August 26th, 2007 at 1:08 am
Fill with change for tolls, snacks or phone calls. They fit easily in the car or in a backpack.
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pat
November 21st, 2007 at 6:19 am
I cut a small hole in the caps and fill them with kitty kibble as a toy for my cat. I often hide several of them around the house so he can “hunt”.
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Judith
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:02 am
LOVE the garbage bag suggestion, reminded me of those tiny plastic bonnets in tiny barbie sized purses my grandma used to get from the hairdresser. I use mine for laundry quarters, but am scouting other uses/recycle too.
Regarding mixing meds in one vial–I peel off the labels and stick on one sheet of paper, photocopy, carry in wallet, ICE. Also proof I’m prescribed I guess.
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Judith
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:05 am
OK, right now I’m making a tiny first aid kit, a bandaid, an alcohol wipe, a capsule of vitamin e or first aid cream.
See how creative a person can get when she’s supposed to be decluttering?
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Judith
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:10 am
One more. Ever burned one finger while you are cooking and had a terrible time keeping ice on it while you finish what you are doing? Fill small pill bottle with crushed ice, put finger in plastic wrap, wrapped finger in crushed ice pill vial, wrap base with paper towels and plastic wrap, and you have the clumsy use of your burned hand. The other day I was going crazy trying to think of something just that size…
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Judith
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:36 am
I can’t stop. I filled a small one with aloe vera gel, labeled it “burn care” and put it in the fridge. Next burnt finger, I’ll still in the cold gel, wrap it up, and see how it goes.
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Catherine
July 14th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Judith’s ideas gave me one to make small ice packs that would fit in a lunch pail.Just fill part way with water and freeze!
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